February 26, 2025
In India, widows face countless challenges in their daily lives, including the sole burden of childcare, a lack of companionship, and difficulties in psychosocial adjustment within their families and broader society.
Forced to fend for themselves, several of them are employed as domestic workers, saleswomen, or flower shop employees and have significant difficulty providing for their families even with this income.
To address their plight, Zakat Foundation of America helped establish a multitude of businesses for Indian widows in Hubli in Karnataka state and Hyderabad in Telangana state, with the goal of assisting them in improving their economic conditions. Through our projects, we aim to foster their empowerment as well as significant changes in their personal and community lives.
Zakat Foundation of America established and trained 120 total widows to operate the following businesses:
Grocery shops
Garment-selling
Goat livestock rearing
Egg rice food cart
Utensil-selling
Electrical wiring
Vegetable market stalls
Roti (bread) kiosks
Jewelry crafting
Flower selling
Vermicelli selling
Clothes stitching (provision of sewing machines)
Overall, these 120 widows and their families saw tremendous benefits from our initiative, with 90% of these widows reporting an average 45% rise in income, and 75% establishing regular saving habits where previously they were unable. Additionally, income from their new businesses allowed them to pay for essential home improvements, like roof repairs and sanitation installations, and 60% of these widows also reduced their debts.
We are incredibly grateful to have provided a means for these strong, fearless women to improve their lives and the lives of those who depend on them, and we look forward to seeing even more amazing work from them which will enrich their broader communities.
